Rugby News: What's Going On in the World of Rugby
October is here, and rugby is everywhere you look. The new club season is in full swing, the women's international calendar is delivering thriller after thriller, and the countdown to the first ever Nations Championship Finals Weekend at Twickenham is well and truly on. All the while, one date sits on the horizon for every rugby nation on the planet: 1 October, 2027.
Here is your roundup of the latest rugby news from across the game.
1. South Africa Claim Rugby's Greatest Rivalry
The biggest story of the southern hemisphere calendar belonged to South Africa. Their four-Test series against New Zealand was billed as a new chapter in one of the sport's oldest rivalries, and it lived up to the hype.
New Zealand struck first with a convincing win at Ellis Park, and for a moment it looked like the series might head their way. South Africa responded in style. A 33-26 victory in Cape Town handed New Zealand their first defeat of the year and levelled the series, before a hard-fought win in Johannesburg put South Africa 2-1 up. The finale moved to Baltimore, where South Africa ran out 43-28 winners to take the series 3-1.
That result lifted South Africa's record against New Zealand to eight wins from their last 10 meetings. With less than a year until the race for the Webb Ellis Cup begins, the world champions have laid down a serious marker.
2. The Nations Championship Heads North
Rugby's newest international competition is approaching its climax. The Nations Championship brings the six Six Nations sides together with New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, Fiji and Japan in a cross-hemisphere format. After the July rounds in the south, the action now shifts to Europe for the November internationals.
For England, it is a big month at Allianz Stadium - Twickenham. They host Australia on Sunday, 8 November, Japan on Saturday, 14 November and New Zealand on Saturday, 21 November. Then comes the main event. Finals Weekend will see six Test matches played over three days at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, running from 27 to 29 November, with each northern hemisphere position playing off against its southern equivalent.
It is a brand new format with genuine silverware on the line. Expect every carry, every kick and every lineout to matter.
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3. The Women's Game Keeps Raising the Bar
One year on from Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, its legacy is still driving record growth, and the new WXV Global Series is building on that momentum. The top 12 ranked teams now go head to head over an eight-week period, with a six-team Challenger competition held in a single host country.
England have been at the centre of the drama. Their winning streak came to an end when Canada held them to a draw in the opening match of their series, but they bounced back with a late show from Zoe Harrison. There is plenty more to come, with England heading to Toronto on Friday, 16 October and Ottawa on Friday, 23 October, before facing the USA in New Jersey on Friday, 30 October.
In Hong Kong, Fiji edged the Netherlands in a thrilling decider to win the WXV Global Series Challenger title, another sign of how quickly the women's game is growing worldwide.
4. PREM Rugby Is Back
Closer to home, club rugby has returned. The 2026/27 Gallagher PREM season got underway on 25 September and runs all the way to the final at Twickenham on 19 June, 2027. Northampton Saints began their title defence at home against Newcastle Red Bulls, having beaten Exeter Chiefs 26-17 in last season's final.
It is a landmark season off the pitch too. This is the first campaign under a franchise-based model, with automatic promotion and relegation replaced by a criteria-based approach. On the pitch, circle derby weekend in your diary: Northampton travel to Leicester Tigers on Saturday, 24 October for the first East Midlands Derby of the season.
As Official Ball Supplier to PREM Rugby for three decades, every derby-day kick, pass and offload will be made with a Gilbert ball. Shop now.
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5. Legends of the Game Honoured
Some names never fade. Joel Stransky and Zinzan Brooke have been revealed as the first two of seven modern greats in the World Rugby Hall of Fame class of 2026. Two players who shaped some of the sport's most memorable moments, now recognised among its very best. More inductees are still to be announced, so watch this space.
6. The Countdown to Australia Continues
Every result this month carries an extra edge, because the biggest stage of all is now less than a year away. Men's Rugby World Cup Australia 2027 kicks off on Friday, 1 October, 2027, when Australia and Hong Kong China meet in the opening match at Perth Stadium, Perth | Boorloo.
Squads are taking shape, selection debates are heating up, and players across the world are fighting for their place on the plane. As Official Ball Supplier of Men's Rugby World Cup 2027, we are proud to be part of the journey once again, continuing a story that stretches back through generations of the tournament.
Show your colours early, featuring the official replica ball, supporter balls and flag balls celebrating the competing nations.
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7. Keep Up With the Latest Rugby News
There is a lot of rugby still to come before the end of 2026, from derby weekends to Finals Weekend at Twickenham. Whatever level you play or watch at, we will be here for every moment of it, just as we have been since 1823. Read more HERE.
